Some of the most vulnerable youths cared for at an Angus secure unit are being let down by a lack of investment in mental health support provided by the Scottish Government, an inquiry has heard.
Youngsters housed by the Rossie Young People’s Trust on the outskirts of Montrose are waiting longer than their counterparts in the central belt for referrals, with the head of operations, David Mitchell, slating the “geographical disparity” in mental health support for young people behind bars.
Mr Mitchell gave evidence to a justice committee inquiry at the Scottish Parliament where he spoke of his “jealousy” over the level of care on offer in Glasgow as opposed to Rossie – one of five Scottish secure units for young people aged from 10 to 18.
The Montrose facility typically admits referrals across the north east of Scotland with significant social, emotional and behavioural difficulties requiring secure accommodation.
Mr Mitchell wanted to “show what the disparity looks like” between mental health support offered to people in the unit and that offered to others in the central belt.
He referred to consultant psychiatrist Dr Helen Smith, the clinical lead for West of Scotland Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services.
He said: “We look with jealous regard to what has been created by Dr Smith and other centres in Glasgow in relation to the secure care pathway.”
Where most referrals are made to NHS Tayside’s child and adolescent mental health services, they work “very well” but he added: “Where it doesn’t work is where we are referring in and have mixed response times.”
He said: “There are very clearly geographical disparities and certainly where we are in Angus.”
North East region Scottish Conservative MSP Liam Kerr said examples of “shocking” post-referral waiting times show a lack of support from the Scottish Government.
He added: “This information about waiting times for very unwell patients was shocking.
“Plainly there is a shortage of mental health staff to service the demand for care.”
A Scottish Government spokesperson said they are “working closely” with NHS boards.
“This year we are investing £1.1 billion to support mental health services, including a package of measures to do more to support positive mental health and prevent ill health,” they added.
A spokesperson for NHS Tayside said: “Within Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) there is dedicated multi-agency complex case team which responds to all clinically prioritised urgent referrals within two days. This would include any urgent referrals from Rossie Young People’s Trust.
“Both routine and urgent referrals received from Rossie are prioritised in the same way as any other referral into the CAMHS.
“NHS Tayside acknowledges the current waiting times for routine consultations are not currently at the level we would like.
“We are working on improving pathways to increase capacity and make improvements that will reduce the journey times for patients and their families.”
